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MMA Star Maycee Barber in Two-Piece Workout Gear Says "To See Change You Have to Make Change"

Barber shares her sparring sessions and balanced fitness routine in a new post.

Maycee Barber backstage during UFC 300.
Brenton Ho/Zuffa LLC via Getty Images

Maycee Barber, a rising star in the MMA world, brings the same discipline to her fitness and nutrition as she does to the ring. In a recent Instagram post, Barber shared a video of herself sparring with her trainer, captioning it, “To see change, you have to make change.” Whether she’s boxing, studying nutrition, or crafting balanced meals, Barber’s commitment to her health is evident. Her focus on eating protein-packed meals, staying hydrated, and maintaining an active lifestyle fuels her success in the sport.


She Boxes

As you can see from her Instagram post, boxing is one of the ways that Barber keeps herself in shape. SOCO FCA states that boxing has a lot of benefits. “An advantage of jumping into a boxing program is the balance and agility you'll acquire through workouts. Transferable to just about every other sport, boxing will help support the growth of body movement and awareness to provide control and a strong stance.”

She Studies Nutrition

Eating healthy is extremely important to Barber. She revealed an interview with Well + Good that she has also studied nutrition to help her eat better. "I've gotten really into the science behind what's best to eat because it's so important [for my job]," Barber says. "I've done meal plans in the past where I haven't felt good at all, I felt sick and tired all the time, but eating this way makes me feel energized and also keeps my immune system strong.”

She Loves Eggs

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Barber broke down her meals with Well + Good. She says that she loves eggs in the morning. “All of my meals are some sort of combination of protein and vegetables—including breakfast," says Barber. "I really love eggs, so that's something I have a lot in the mornings, often with a side of broccoli, or another high-fiber vegetable. I like to have coffee, but I wait until after my morning workout to have it.”

She Stays Hydrated

Barber tells Well + Good that she makes sure to drink a lot of water each day. “Throughout the day, I make sure to stay hydrated, too. Hydration is really important. I drink water before, during, and after all my workouts."

She Loves Salmon

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Barber also tells Well + Good that she loves eating salmon. “One of my go-to dinners is salmon and vegetables," she says. "It has protein, healthy fats, and of course lots of fiber—everything I know my body needs to feel good. I don't actually love the taste of salmon, but I do love the way it makes me feel. As you can see, I eat a lot of fish and vegetables; that's pretty much the core of my diet. I just try to find ways to keep it, mix it up and keep it interesting."